Impact NW
Impact NW is a nonprofit social service agency based in Portland, Oregon United States. The organization was founded in 1966 as Portland Action Communities Together, Inc. (PACT) and was also formerly known as Portland Impact. The organization's mission is to help people achieve and maintain self-sufficiency and to PReVENT and alleviate The Effects of poverty.
Founding
The four neighborhoods of Brooklyn, Sunnyside, Richmond and Buckman came together and created the agency to address the growing poverty in Southeast Portland. In 1986, PACT changed its name to Portland Impact, to prevent any confusion with the political lobbying groups known as "PACS." More recently, the organization's name was changed to Impact NW to reflect the broader geographical region it now serves.
Services
Groups served by Impact NW include families, children, seniors and adults with disabilities. Their main programs include: "Housing and Safety Net Services," encompassing transitional housing and rental assistance, utility assistance, referrals and access to food and clothing for homeless families; "Early Childhood & Family Services," which provide educational and supportive services to low-income families with children 0–5 years of age; "Youth & Family Services," which include mentoring at-risk youth, extended-day programming at area public schools, the Urban Opportunities job readiness program, and the Kids on the Block Awareness Project; and "Seniors and Adults with Disabilities Services," including advocacy/case management, meal provision, money management, and transportation assistance.
Impact NW operates in Multnomah, Clackamas and Washington counties in Oregon and Clark County, Washington through these regional centers:
- Brentwood-Darlington Community Center, 7211 SE 62nd Avenue
- SE Multicultural Service Center, 4610 SE Belmont
- Dancing Tree Family Center, 10055 E Burnside
Impact NW also provides services and case management for families, seniors and adults with disabilities at certain housing facilities in partnership with Home Forward (formerly known as the Housing Authority of Portland) including:
- Richmond Place, 4141 SE Division
- Dahlke Manor, 915 NE Schuyler
- Holgate House, 4601 SE 39th
- Northwest Towers, 335 NW 19th
- Unthank Plaza, 2500 N Williams
Additionally, Impact NW's Schools Uniting Neighborhoods (SUN) Community Schools provide access points for many anti-poverty services. They include Buckman Arts Magnet Elementary School, Woodmere Elementary, Kelly Elementary, Harvey Scott K-8, Harrison Park School, Marysville School, Whitman Elementary, and Franklin High School. They also provide services as SHINE at Barnes Elementary in Beaverton, Oregon.
In 2010-11, the agency's annual operating budget exceeded $8.5 million. Operating with a staff of 160, and 2,600 volunteers they report serving over 60,000 residents of the Portland Metro area yearly.
External links
- Official site
- Grant to increase AmeriCorps presence in SUN communities, East County News
- Former [...] addict unable to work, but she’s building a life for her son, The Oregonian
- City honors those who help their neighbors, The Oregonian
- Portland Impact offers housing benefits to employees, The Homestreet Bank